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LANCE Armstrong wants to be clear about government policy in
Australia on cancer research before committing to the prospect of
kicking off his road-racing comeback at the Tour Down Under in
January.

The seven-times Tour de France champion has not ruled out racing
in the January 20-25 race in South Australia that is the first
major event on the international calendar  and organisers are
still hopeful he will come.

But the 37-year-old Texan, who most recently raced in the Tour
de France in 2005 before retiring, yesterday told The Age in an
email that no plans had "yet" been put in place to come to
Australia.

After winning the 12 Hours of Snowmass mountain-bike race in the
United States last weekend, Armstrong raised expectations that he
would enter the Tour Down Under by saying: "The most important
issue is taking the global epidemic of cancer really to a much
bigger stage. The best way to do that is to race the bike all over
the world. So you race in Australia, South Africa, South
America, Europe, America, um that is the first
priority."

Asked yesterday if his comments meant he had pencilled in the
South Australian race as his comeback event, Armstrong was
noncommittal, but clear in his view that government positions on
cancer would play a role.

"I have no clear answer for you," Armstrong wrote.

"My aim is to race all over (the world) where there are willing
and supportive governments with regards to enacting cancer
policy."

For Armstrong to be fully convinced that government policy on
cancer research fits with his campaign, it is most likely that the
South Australian and federal governments would first need to
declare their positions.

The South Australian Government would have to state its policy
as owner of the Tour Down Under as would the Federal Government
soon, with Armstrong due to unveil details about his comeback plans
next Wednesday in New York.

Tour Down Under race director Mike Turtur yesterday denied
reports that Armstrong had already told him he would race in next
year's event.

"We have had no official word from the Armstrong camp. We, along
with everyone else, are waiting for his announcement (next
Wednesday)," Turtur said.

■ Australian Tour de France stage winner Simon Gerrans,
28, has denied reports he has signed with the new Canadian Cervelo
team.

Gerrans, who won stage 15 of this year's tour with the Credit
Agricole team that has lost its sponsorship, is still considering
several offers.

"It's true, I've had long talks with Cervelo, but I haven't
signed anything yet," he said.